The False Claims Act has been a part of American law since the days of the Civil War, when President Abraham Lincoln realized that the most effective way of catching those who were defrauding the government was to reward insiders who came forward with their knowledge. Unfortunately, the incentive of compensation is sometimes offset by fears of retaliation by a whistleblower’s employer. If you are aware of wrongdoing but you are afraid to come forward for fear of losing your job or some other concern, then it is important for you to know that the law provides specific protections for workers who do so.  It is illegal for employers to punish employees for disclosing information about their illegal or wasteful acts, and whistleblowers who feel that they are being victimized are able to file lawsuits against those responsible. If you believe that you are in possession of important information about conduct that might cause damage to Americans, whether as a result of waste, safety concerns, ethical concerns, or other issues, the Philadelphia law firm of Bochetto & Lentz is able to help you file a whistleblower lawsuit. Call us and let us explain about the protections available for whistleblowers in Philadelphia.

In order to understand anti-retaliation law, it is important to understand that the same laws that are designed to protect employees and taxpayers also have protections built in for those who report violations of those laws. So anybody that reports fraud by their employer is protected, anybody that reports the violation of environmental laws, and anybody that reports discrimination on the part of their employer is likewise protected.  Proving that retaliation has taken place can be challenging, but usually involves showing that you were involved in a protected activity such as whistleblowing, that your employer knew about your involvement, and that you suffered some sort of adverse impact as a result of your protected action.

The challenges of proving retaliation largely fall into two categories: the first is that your employer may say that the adverse action taken against you had nothing to do with your protected activity, and that it was a result of some other action on your part such as breaking conduct rules. The second is if the employer claims that they had no knowledge of the fact that you had engaged in whistleblowing.  One of the best ways to avoid this strategy is to notify your employer of your whistleblowing once the government allows this knowledge to be shared.

If you have filed a whistleblower lawsuit and believe that your employer has acted against you, whether by firing you, demoting you, or in some other way causing you damage, you are able to file a retaliation claim against them and seek compensatory damages. The whistleblower lawsuit attorneys at Bochetto & Lentz have extensive experience in helping whistleblowers through every step of the process. We can help protect your rights as you engage in this courageous activity. Call us today to set up an appointment and discuss the particulars of your case.

Learn more about Whistleblower Lawsuits HERE.